Bryson driving it 375 yards, 650-yard par 5s reachable in two, classic courses becoming obsolete; the issue of increasing distance within elite golf has been a point of discussion for more than 20 years.
The governing bodies (The R&A and USGA) have observed and monitored increasing hitting distances in elite golf over the last two decades and have stated repeatedly that they feel the proven increases are detrimental to the game – that they reduce the
What’s been announced?
In March this year, The R&A and USGA proposed a new Model Local Rule (MLR) to be available from January 2026, which competition organisers could enforce to ensure competitors would have to play golf balls that don’t go as far as the currently legal balls that are universally used. It’s effectively a Local Rule that would lead to a bifurcation – a split or division within golf – with professionals and elite amateurs using one type of new, altered ball and regular amateurs continuing to use balls of the current specification.
The specification on the limits of the new ‘elite’ ball conforming to the MLR would be determined through a change in ball testing procedure, using a driver and robot tester as follows: golf balls that conform to the MLR would not be allowed to exceed the current Overall Distance Standard (ODS) limit of 317 yards (plus three yards tolerance) at modified Actual Launch Conditions (ALC) – a clubhead speed of 127mph based on a calibration set-up for 11 degrees and 37 revolutions per second (2,220rpm).
This story is from the June 2023 edition of Golf Monthly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 2023 edition of Golf Monthly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A GRAND ESTATE
Goodwood in West Sussex may be steeped in ancestral history, but about 20 years ago it elected to take its golf offering down a very different route...
The Tees Valley
Jeremy Ellwood potters about along the famous north-east river for a couple of days, basing himself at Rockliffe Hall, one of England's finest golf hotels
The Western Cape
Along with its stunning scenery, vineyards and welcoming climate, this region is home to a wealth of fine courses
Murcar Links
The 20-mile stretch of coastline northwards from Aberdeen is home to no fewer than four links in the Golf Monthly Top 100.
How to play the chip-and-run
The chip-and-run is one of the most useful shots in anyone’s short-game arsenal but most golfers don’t use it enough.
Is your angle of attack correct?
You can add serious distance to your drives if you get the upward angle of attack into impact correct
LEARN FROM THE BEST!
Star players' signature shots... and how you can play them
Confessions of a golf club fitter
Is everything always as it seems in the customfitting bay? We ask someone in the know how you can avoid some of the more unscrupulous practices
Dining at the TOP TABLE
Aaron Rai's Wyndham Championship victory has elevated his career to a new level. But, as he tells David Facey, he's taking nothing for granted...
Is golf too expensive?
The cost of membership, greens fees, gear and more can give our game a bad rap. Is that fair or are there more affordable ways to play? Michael Weston investigates...
